Light Bulbs & Lamps
For thousands of years, humans have looked to extend their day past the hours of sunlight. In doing so, they had to find some method of illuminating the night. While light bulbs were not even a glimmer in the ancients' eyes, they would eventually become indispensable pieces found in almost every occupied building in the Western world. The history and evolution of the light bulb is as enlightening as the bulbs are themselves.
It seemed like a bright idea at the time. Bringing light into the home without the dangers associated with candles or gas lamps. As early as 1801 experiments with creating electrical lamps began producing the ancestors of light bulbs. These were called carbon arc lamps, since they passes an open arc between two rods made of carbon. Having an open arc was impractical, but once these arc lamps were surrounded by glass, they found use in many cities for street lighting, following the precedent set by Cleveland in 1879. These arc lamps, though, were still a far cry from light bulbs. Arc lamps were bases upon an open electrical current inside the bulb. There were many ideas which spun off of these arc lamps, among these mercury vapor lamps, fluorescent lights, neon lights, and incandescent bulbs.
Every school child learns the tale of Thomas Edison and the invention of the light bulb, but there were many patents filed with the United States patent office from competing inventors for the very same idea. The notion of lighting a filament by passing heat or an electrical current through in as it is shut up in a glass bulb was conceived in the middle of the nineteenth century. By 1879, Sir Joseph Swan from England and Thomas Edison brought this bright idea into reality. Neither of them corresponded with the other concerning their work, so it is thought that both created the model of the incandescent bulb independently. Edison is remembered for the achievement, especially by Americans, due to his nationality, and the widespread marketing and use of his model. Edison realized that it pays to advertise his new light bulb.
This earliest form of the light bulb is still in use today. It is the form followed by modern incandescent bulbs. You can find examples of today's modern light bulbs here at Residential Landscape Lighting and Design. We have a wide ranging selection for unbelievable prices. Whether you need simple incandescent bulbs, mercury vapor lamps, metal halide lamps or fluorescent lights we have the light bulb options to meet your needs.
Here at Residential Landscape Lighting and Design we can help you to find all of the light bulbs that you need for your home. If you have a technical question for one of our experts first check our lighting blogs or forums. Your inquiry may have already been answered. If not, you can ask the experts or just call us at (800)239-2939. Our customer service will be happy to help you.
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